April 28, 2022 · 0 Comments
By Brian Lockhart
Two years after getting the go-ahead to enter a team in the Ontario Junior C Lacrosse League, the Orangeville Northmen hosted their inaugural regular season home opener at Tony Rose Arena on Friday, April 22.
The Northmen were up against the Fergus Thistles for their first game.
Head coach, Drew Barfoot, was on the bench along with assistant coach, Taylor Hartley, and trainer Lindsey Clapham.
The idea of putting a local Junior C team on the floor started a few years ago.
After getting approval and looking forward to the season, the pandemic hit and all lacrosse activity in the province came to a halt – at least for a regular season.
The Northmen Junior C team has had some exhibition games, but this is their first full season as a team.
The Ontario Junior C Lacrosse League has 15 teams that play in two divisions.
In the West Division the Northmen will be up against some experienced teams this season, including Fergus, Brantford, Barrie, Halton Hills, Wilmot, and Six Nations.
The first game of the season started with an early Fergus rush to take a 3-0 lead.
Orangeville’s Scott Clapham scored late in the first period to put the Northmen on the scoreboard.
The Northmen closed the gap when Preston Gear scored in the second period.
Orangeville trailed 6-3 at the end of the second when the Thistles scored three to end the period.
The Northmen couldn’t find the back of the Fergus net in the third while the Thistles scored five to end the game 11-2.
The Northmen will be back at their home floor this coming Friday, April 29, when they will host the Six Nations Stealth.
Game time is 8:00 p.m.